Hawaiian Crosswinds

by Linda Chaikin

  Chapter Twenty Seven

  Danger at Hanalei

  As though a harbinger of what was to come, a blinding streak of lightning stabbed the blackness above Hanalei Plantation House, followed by a loud clap of thunder that shook the glass in the downstairs windows.

  Eden heard footsteps in the hall, and they seemed to slow, then abruptly stop outside the bedchamber door. A key turned in the lock and the door opened. She wanted to flinch under her uncle’s icy blue eyes. For a moment their eyes locked, and she felt a quell of anger rise above her apprehension. Reality struck with appalling clarity, yet she could only lie down, partially drugged and untidy as she was from such rough traveling. The Scriptures she’d memorized through the years gave her strength and comfort, or she would have panicked. She had awoken, tied up in black darkness, and lying on rough rope and nets that kept swaying and moving. Then she had heard her uncle’s threatening voice, “Liho, you man that sail or I’ll send you to the bottom.” Townsend had put her into the cramped hull of a boat!

  The blackness seemed a nightmare. But even then, she’d soon discovered peace. Someone is praying for me, she thought, more than someone, including her beloved Rafe. How precious his love now seemed to her when she understood she might never see him again. Tears filled her eyes. I should have married him months ago. And if God rescues me from this, I shall marry him immediately! I shall have a double wedding with Aunt Lana.

  Townsend carried her off the boat, leaving her wrists tied behind her while she rode behind him trying to hold on to the back of the saddle. Even then, he had talked incessantly, making excuses, insisting she had always been his favorite niece, and that it caused him profound grief to treat her this way. Her mother, Rebecca, had been a “good” woman. “I am driven to these extremes because of Rafe’s jealousy and hatred. He insists I was responsible for Matt’s accidental fall from the rocks. Rubbish! I had nothing to do with it. Nora promotes his errors by writing outright lies in her book. As if I’d poison my own aunt. She was old, that’s all, imagining things, and Rafe turned her against me. He turns everyone in the family against me; he’s finally even turned Ainsworth against me.”

  Drugged and exhausted, Eden was half asleep, unable to keep from leaning her cheek against his back as they rode toward Hanalei.

  Once there, he smuggled her indoors and brought her to a room, and she heard a chuckle. “Rafe’s bedchamber. He’ll find her here,” he mumbled. He went out the door just as she was falling back asleep.

  Now that she’d partially awakened again he’d returned and was looking down at her sadly.

  “Poor girl,” he said again. “I’m sorry to have to treat you this way. It was your choice of Rafe that forced me to use you. Candace would have done just as well, but Keno has nothing to do with all of this. It’s Rafe. He’s arrogant and selfish. I should have done something about him when he was a boy.”

  He had something in his hand. Her gaze was a little blurry but it looked like a glass of water.

  “Drink this. No need to be afraid. Do as I say and all will be well in the end.”

  She did not believe him. She had a horrible fear that he would seek to destroy Hanalei and her with it. And yet, he’d appeared quite sane since they’d arrived.

  He smiled. “The Hawaiian servants think I’ve come to surrender myself to Rafe and ask for mercy. I put on some marvelous theatrics for their benefit. I’ve convinced them. I even had the cook bring me a Bible.” He smiled. “They don’t know you’re here. So you must go to sleep again, my dear. We can’t have you yelling out or pounding on the door, or breaking glass. And not one of them would ever open the door to look inside their wonderful Makua Rafe’s bedchamber.”

  His smile vanished in a puff of wind. “Don’t worry, this is only a mild sedative. You’ll have to drink this or you’ll force me to use the chloroform again. Be quick about it, Eden. You’re starting to move around. Quiet!”

  She turned her face away and held her teeth tightly shut. His strong fingers clamped painfully into her cheeks as she resisted. Having no better alternative while becoming more fearful of his anger, she decided to drink it.

  Afterward, Townsend went to the wardrobe and pulled out a jacket. He brought it to her, smiling again. “Here, my pet. Have something to comfort you while you’re resting. Here’s his jacket.” And he laid it over her gently. “Good night, Eden—and good-bye. There, you see, all is well. Aren’t you relieved?”

  His golden brows lifted. “You see, I’m leaving tonight. I shall no longer hinder Rafe and his greedy plans.”

  You would know best about greedy plans. If you think you can return to San Francisco and lie your way back into Celestine’s arms, you are mistaken.

  “If it’s Rafe you’re worried about, fear no longer,” he said. “He can have Hanalei, and he will not be harmed.”

  Did he mean it? She wondered how he could so quickly act like the old Uncle Townsend she’d grown up knowing. Arrogant, but not profoundly evil. Was he on opium? Could that account for his moods?

  “Are you returning to San Francisco?” she asked, her voice raspy.

  “I have no intention of returning to Celestine.” His face hardened. “I know her well. The woman is after Parker Judson. That’s why she’s staying in his fancy house on Nob Hill.” His eyes were cold. “That’s the house that should be turned into rubble and ashes.”

  A chill ran through her. “Are you threatening Celestine?”

  “I’ll warn you to keep your wild suspicions to yourself. Ainsworth and I will work this matter out between us by correspondence. I’ve decided money will answer all things,” he scoffed. “Ainsworth will pay a hefty price to see me leave the Islands permanently for parts unknown. Well. I’ve decided to accommodate him. I’m going to the Caribbean and begin a new life, under a new name. I’ll build my own plantation. Better than Hanalei. The Derringtons will never see me again, nor will Rafe.”

  He truly believes he can get away with all he’s done. But I don’t believe he means it about not hurting Rafe. He plans to burn Hanalei down, I’m sure of it.

  Be still, she told herself. Perhaps it is wiser to let him think he can escape to the Caribbean.

  A smirk lingered on his rugged face. “With that, I shall bid you aloha.”

  “If Grandfather Ainsworth gives you money, how will you get hold of it if you’re leaving now?”

  He chuckled merrily. “I am more clever than any of you give me credit for, including Rafe. Don’t think I’m not convinced he’s on his way here now. He expects to find me, and thinks I’m willing to die here. To commit suicide in a blaze of glory. A Custer’s last stand, so to speak. Well, I’ve thought it over in some cooler moments and decided I’m going to enjoy life after all. I’m still a young man. In the Caribbean I can change my name, even my appearance. I could marry. Why not? I could become a big kahuna, say on Jamaica, or Barbados. I know all about sugar, coffee, pineapples. So, when he arrives here, I shall be arriving at Kea Lani.” He smiled. “I will receive my just inheritance from Ainsworth, and some jewels from Nora and Candace. From there I shall leave, and never come back. Does that suit you?”

  “If that’s true, then—why not let me go?”

  “You must be here until Rafe arrives. If I release you too soon— you may be able to alert him of my return to Kea Lani. And I cannot go anywhere until I get the money I need to start a new life.”

  He opened the door, went out, and shut it quietly. His footsteps filtered away into silence. She heard the wind outside scraping bushes against the side of the house.

  He may be going to Kea Lani to see Grandfather for money, but he’s just as venomous toward Rafe and jealous of Hanalei as ever. He wouldn’t have told me his plans if he anticipated I would live to tell of it!

  If only there was a way to escape! The door was unlocked— such irony! He must have found that thought amusing. If she could be sure he had left she might be able to scream loudly enough for someone to realize she was here, but the drug was alread
y taking her strength away.

  With great effort she tried to get off the bed, but as soon as her feet met the floor the room seemed to heave to and fro and start to turn upside down.

  Dizziness caught hold of her again. So then … this is his solution to prevent my screams and door pounding—I could have guessed it.

  Outside on the lanai, Townsend stood shielded in the darkness. He’d brought the horse to a place out of sight a mile from here. He must carry out his plans quickly. He would wait until the workers went to bed, perhaps another hour, then light the fires and escape on horseback. Tomorrow he’d locate a boat, or even tonight if he could. Rafe wouldn’t be looking for him. He’d assume he was trapped in the flames and dead from smoke inhalation.

  He looked down the carriageway and saw no sign of any of the Hawaiian boys. The sky churned with thick clouds. A river flowed by, obscure and silent.

  While Rafe and the others were consumed with the trouble here, he would be making his way back to Kea Lani.

  Later, Eden tossed restlessly and awakened to a dull, muddled mind with a moan. A brilliant streak of lightning startled her and she came fully awake. She found herself lying on the hard cold floor where she must have fallen as she went out. She managed to raise herself to her elbow and turn over. She looked toward the window, her heart pounding. Fire! She struggled to rouse herself. Hanalei was burning—

  What was that odor?—smoke. The plantation house was burning!

  In a moment of muddled confusion she managed to get on her feet and stagger toward the door. She found the doorknob and thrust it open—in the hall she called out as best she could. Hurry! Get out! Fire! Get out! She wondered if she was really in control of her vocal chords or only thinking the words.

  As she reached the stairway, walking, stumbling, and crawling her way, she heard breaking glass coming from one of the rooms. She stopped, horrified the parlor was burning, and Rafe’s office. Smoke crept like evil fog ready to smother and blind. Eden screamed below for the servants, for any name that came to mind whether they were there or not. She heard nothing. Had they been able to get out the back door?

  Please, Father God! Help us, in Jesus’ name!

  She turned to crawl back up the stairs when a feeble wail reached her ears from somewhere downstairs in the smoke.

  It was a child’s voice! A boy’s cry of great fear and weakness!

  Anguish gripped her stomach. Why was the boy caught? Why was he not with the servants, who must have escaped before she ever awoke?

  Eden clutched the banister and stared below. “Where are you?” she shouted. “Can you hear me?”

  Nothing. Only the crackle of fire, smoke of acrid fumes, the sputter of rich draperies going up in flames, the crystal chandelier crashing to the floor. The expensive paintings, and those of the Easton patriarchs on the parlor walls sizzling in the heat.

  It’s the end of the world, her fevered mind told her, and everything, and every treasure, every cherished memento is being burned to ashes. Seeing that all these things will burn up, what manner of people should we be?

  Oh Rafe, my darling!

  “I’m caught!” the boy screamed, crying, and wailing. “Here! I’m caught!”

  The voice came from the parlor.

  Eden refused to think of the hopelessness of her cause. The boy’s terrified wail commanded her heart’s response. She managed to get down the last few stairs holding her dress over her mouth and nose.

  Hanalei was now wide awake, and from the workers’ bungalows and out on the lawn came shouting voices like shadows in the firelight. Horses raced by. She heard the familiar Hawaiian cry of anguish, Auwe, Auwe, followed by the cries of frightened birds in the trees and bushes.

  Fly away, fly away, her numbed heart echoed. Hurry, hurry—

  Something crashed in the direction of the hallway. A moment later she heard the boy outside shouting: “There’s still someone in the parlor!”

  There was the sound of snapping wood, and the heat was becoming unbearable. The boy is outside safe, Eden thought, but I’m trapped.

  She tried to retreat in the direction of the stairway again, but there was so much smoke she could no longer see, or know which direction to take. Her eyes and lungs burned. She crawled and bumped into something that felt like a divan. She struggled in the direction of where she thought the front door should be. Everything was too hot.

  She reached her hand out. Lord, comfort Rafe when I’m gone. Don’t let this tragedy destroy his life, his faith in You—

  Rafe rode with Keno and Ambrose beside him on horses they’d rented in town. The dirt side road was smoother here near the cutoff road to Hanalei, and he turned down it and rode quickly forward. A groan came from Ambrose. Keno pointed. “Look.”

  The late night air smelled of smoke. Flames were leaping into the darkness, defying the gentle rain that had begun to fall minutes ago.

  Eden. Rafe galloped the horse toward Hanalei plantation house, and onto the carriageway, his gaze searching the crowd on the lawn for a glimpse of Eden. His greatest fear leaped with the flames, dancing demonically through openings in roof. For a moment his emotions gave way to panic.

  He maneuvered his horse through the crowd, searching. She wasn’t there!

  A boy came running up beside him, his face dirty and tear-stained, his clothes darkened with smoke.

  “Makua Rafe! There is wahine inside!” He gestured wildly. “Inside, she came for me! I get out but she still there, in parlor.”

  Rafe forced the frightened horse toward the front of the house, reining him at the entrance. The door was down and smoke swirled, burning his throat. A fool’s death, he thought, but he entered.

  “Eden!”

  Ambrose and Keno rode up on horses. They saw men on horses and workers running in all directions. Ambrose could only trust God that he would not lose Rafe now, as well as Eden. Keno, with a desperate face, had started to dismount to enter the inferno, but Ambrose whacked his arm with his horse’s whip.

  “No! Lad! Do not follow! There’s nothing you can do! There’s Candace to think of!”

  Lightning streaked hot white against the black sky. “Look,” Keno cried, his voice choked with delight, looking up at the rumbling dark sky. “It’s starting; rain, beautiful rain.” Water poured down his face.

  The thunder uttered its dominance; the downpour broke in tumultuous streams beating against the land, the trees, the house, the flames, and through the open roof. Ambrose shouted upward to the bursting clouds: “God of Creation! I give You thanks!”

  Horses rode by. The cloudburst continued, cooling angry flames, while the smoke and sizzling persisted.

  Eden heard Rafe call her name, and the sound of his strong, urgent voice shot through her like an arrow. She found the hope and strength to crawl forward in the direction of his voice, seeing nothing but smoke that choked her lungs and parched her throat.

  “Rafe! Rafe! I’m here!” The call was feeble. Did he hear it?

  She heard his steps and struggled to move in his direction.

  “Rafe—”

  He advanced. “Where are you?”

  “Here—”

  He moved toward her and now she could just make out his form and reached out both hands toward him. “Rafe!” she cried.

  He swiftly swept her up into his arms and ran back in the direction he had come. They emerged into the drenching rain, warm and steamy.

  He carried her away from the house toward the shrubs and sank with her to the lawn, where they coughed and gasped, filling their lungs with fresh air.

  The rain continued to pour.

  Rafe leaned over to where she lay on the grass and drew her head and shoulders to rest on his arm. “You’re going to be all right, darling.”

  “Yes … now.”

  Only vaguely aware of the others out on the lawn, Eden looked into his penetrating dark eyes staring down at her.

  The rain saturated her through to the skin, washing away the smell of smoke from her hair and
face. The feel of his arm beneath her head, supporting her, seemed to make her alive again. She turned her head to look at him, and her eyes grew languid as the firelight flickered against his wet skin.

  “Rafe,” she whispered, reaching a hand to the side of his dark wet head. “I’ve tasted the bitterness of losing you forever in this life. I’ve learned that I don’t want to leave you again, ever. I want to stay with you here, on Hanalei, to help you rebuild. I want to marry you now,” she whispered, her eyes clinging to his. “Maybe I could go to Molokai later—just to visit Rebecca—to hear her story, but not to stay. No, never to stay a year. … I need you now, Rafe.”

  He stared down at her as though overwhelmed.

  She loved the warm glimmer in the depths of his eyes. He smoothed the wet strands of hair from her face and throat.

  “Are you sure?” he asked intently. “Do you know what you’re saying?”

  “Yes. I’m certain, and I know exactly what I’m saying.”

  For a moment doubt flickered. “What of your father? Dr. Jerome will need you—he will say so. What then?”

  She touched his face, his mouth with her fingers. “He doesn’t need me. Not as much as I need you. After what’s happened he’ll understand. He’ll want me to stay. Besides, Dr. Bolton and Lana are going to Molokai to work with him. I won’t leave you, Rafe. I’m staying.”

  His arm tightened around her. “Then I’ll see we deliver the printing press on the Minoa. You could come with me to Molokai. You can spend time with Rebecca. Will that work?”

  She smiled, exhausted but thrilled. “It will work, darling, yes.”

  “Then that’s a promise. There’s no urgent cause for me to go to San Francisco now. I’ll go later for Kip and the adoption business— and to work on getting Keno his plantation.”

  She looked at him with her heart in her gaze. “That’s what I want to do. Maybe … we could marry here—look! Not every room in the plantation house is burned out. The rain is putting the fire out.”

  “You’ve just removed the ruin and rubble from my heart and filled it with new life and joy. If you become mine now, through all of the rebuilding and struggle ahead here at Hanalei, with God’s help and yours, I can conquer anything man can throw at me. As long as I have you, darling, everything else will fall into its rightful place. We’ll rebuild what’s destroyed.”